My dog has an ear infection. Why is he sleeping so much on steroids?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Macrolone contains a steroid but is not expected to result in side effects like the ones you describe. The only instance where that medication could result in such side effects is if for example it is causing like gastrointestinal ulceration and anemia. In that case you may notice black tarry stools and his gums may look pale. If that is the case, I recommend that you have him evaluated as soon as possible as that may represent a medical emergency. Otherwise, severe lethargy can be observed with a variety of conditions going from anemia to pain/discomfort. I recommend that you have him evaluated by a veterinarian soon as that degree of lethargy is not expected from that medication and is likely something else going on. Good luck!

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry that Bear is having this issue. Yes, I do think you should take him to MedVet today as an urgent appointment. Typically steroids (like Prednisone) actually increase appetite so I am concerned that he has not eaten in 48 hours despite being on steroids. I hope this helps. Best wishes.

I'm sorry to hear that Loki isn't feeling great. If his ears are really sore, that could certainly make him more sleepy than usual. He should start feeling much better after about 3 days on the ear medications - if he's not perking up I would recommend giving your vet a call to see if they want him to come back in. It's fine to give the Malmetazone twice daily. The website will list the way the product was approved to be used or the way the manufacturer recommends it be used, but we frequently modify these recommendations to meet the needs of individual patients or based on more recent research. I would recommend continuing to give both treatments as recommended. I hope Loki is feeling better soon! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and let me know if this was helpful information.

Yes, that would be the assumption. Steroids are very potent anti-inflammatories. So he likely has/had some inflammation in/near the inner ear canal that was causing his hearing loss. It is not something your vet would know just by looking in the ear with an otoscope. This inflammation would be behind the ear drum and a CT scan would have been needed to find it. Hopefully this course of steroids will resolve the issue completely. If you wean him off the steroids and the hearing loss returns then there is something else going on in there, at which point, a CT scan would be recommended.

Hi there. Poor Miles! It is common for them to exhibit "sick behavior" when they feel ill just like us. He probably doesn't feel up to playing right now-and many ear infections can come with a fever which will increase lethargy. If he is still eating and drinking I am apt to worry less. If he continues to just lie around listlessly I would take him back to your doctor to make she he is parasite free (especially intestinal parasites) and that he doesn't need systemic antibiotics. I hope this helps!

He could have a bad reaction to the steroids, one of the common side effects is stomach upset and stomach ulcer, please contact your vet as i'm not sure the steroids are needed for the ear infection (i never prescribe systemic steroids for an ear infection).

This depends on the drug that was given but it is possibly a side effect. Also remember that ear infections themselves can cause lethargy or “off” behavior as can the stress of visiting the vet. Don’t panic unless you see vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling, collapse, or other worrisome signs. If you’re seeing any of those, get to an emergency vet IMMEDIATLEY as these could be signs of a severe allergic reaction. Best of luck and I hope Baby is feeling better soon!